Coating machine for cathode ray tubes



May

L. A. POWELL ETAL COATING MACHINE FOR CATHODE RAY TUBES Filed Sept. 18,1951 5 snee'c's--sheeL 1 s I I 4 I. INVENTURS LEO A. POWELL JOHN J.RE6ECHENRY W. ROEBER ATTORNEY May 3l, 1955 L. A. POWELL ErAL ooATING MACHINEFOR cATHoDE RAY TUBES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 18. 1951 May 3l, 1955L A. PowELL Erm.

COATING MACHINE FOR CATHODE RAY TUBES 5 sheets-sheez s Filed Sept. 18.1951 :Nvemons LEoA. POWELL .JoHNuREeEc HENRY W. ROEBER ATT May 31, 1955L. A. POWELL :TAL 2,709,414

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COATING MACHINE FOR CATHODE RAY TUBES Filed Sept. 18, 1951 5Sheets-Sheet 5 4 i i 2.96 i q 2.95

I ggg 303 y 3/0 i i INVENTORS LEO A. POWELL -JGHN J. REGEC HENRYW.ROEBER COATING MACHENE FOR CATHODE RAY TUBES Leo A. Powell,.lohnsonburg, and .lohn J. Regec and Henry W. Roeber, Emporium, Pa.,assignors to Sylvkzlmia Electric Products Inc., a corporation of Massacusetts Application September 18, 1951, Serial No. 247,138

17 Claims. (Cl. 118-215) This invention relates to apparatus for theapplication of coatings to the interior surfaces of chambered articles,and more particularly to the interior surface of chambered articles,such as glass envelopes for cathode ray tubes. Such envelopes, known inthe art as cathode ray tube blanks, include a substantially closedvessel portion,

Another object is to provide apparatus which can be controlled in amanner to apply, on a production basis, substantially identicalelectrically conducting coatings interioriy of envelopes.

Another object is to provide a coating machine capabie of accuratecontrol and duplication of all operations.

Stiil another object resides in improved apparatus for application of aprecise and uniform coating of an aqueous suspension of graphite such asaquadag to the interior walls of a cathode ray tube biank.

A further object is to provide an improved method of applying coatingsof uniform electrical characteristics and of uniform appearance in tubeenvelopes destined particularly for manufacture into cathode ray tubes.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide bulb coatingapparatus capable of applying a conductive coating to selected areaswithin a vacuum tube blank in which striations and other unintendeddiscontinuities in said coated areas are reduced to an absolute minimum.t

The foregoing obects, and others which may appear from the followingdetailed description, are generally attained in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in the drawings, anddescribed in detail below, in which a rotatable turret arrangementhaving a number of work supporting chucks arranged to hold cathode raytube blanks in position for rotation about their axes as the turret isindexed through a number of operating stations. t some of said stationsan applicator charged with a fiowable coating medium is arranged to beintroduced through the narrow neck of a cathode ray tube blank andthereafter moved to contact a desired zone in the interior surface of afrustoconical portion of the blank. As the blank rotates, a coating ofthe medium is applied to a given zone. The upplier is thereafterretracted and the blank indexed to the next station where another zoneis similarly treated. At certain stations the blank is held stationarywhile an applicator deposits a longitudinal strip of coating material inthe neck of the tube. At others, a reciprocating brush applies a secondcoating to areas having special configurations.

Patent O 2,7@9Al4 Patented May 31, 1955 The invention will be moreclearly understood by ref erence to the following detailed descriptionwhich is accompanied by drawings in which like parts are identified bythe same reference numeral, and in which:

Fig. l is a plan View of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation in section taken along line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section of the device of Fig. 1 showingin elevation a cathode ray tube blank suspended in place by a chuck andillustrating the relation of the brush operating gear and paint carrierthereto;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View, partly in section, of another brushoperating mechanism and its relation to the paint carrier;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal view in section taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4showing the brush of Fig. 4 in its operative position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front View, partly in section, of the mechanismof Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the portion of the apparatus in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan View of a roller type painting mechanism appearing atone of the operating stations;

Fig. 9 is a partial front view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is a transverse section taken along line liti-l0 of Fig. 9, andshowing a paint roller in place in the neck of a tube blank;

Fig. l1 is a side elevational View of Fig. 9;

Fig. l2 is a View in section of a cathode ray tube neck paintingapparatus which also shows the successive painting operations performedat the various stations of the entire machine;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary and partly sectional View in perspectiveillustrating in detail the operations performed on the neck of the tubeby the machine.

As best shown in Figs. l and 2, the preferred embodiment of theinvention includes generally a centrally disposed supporting structure,generically designated it), and comprising pedestal 36 the lower portionil of which finds its support on a suitable base plate 38 for support ofa journal portion l2 in a vertical position.- Pedestal 36 may be ofgenerally annular configuration and is laterally provided with anintegral flange portion 74 for the support of work station apparatuslater described. A planiform upper wall portion 14 of pedestal 36 servesICC as a supporting base for a plurality of circumferentially disposedbrackets 15 which serve to anchor rod-like sup ports 16 for the fixedsupport of a second journal member 34 aligned with journal 12 in avertical position. Journal members 12 and 34 are adapted to receive atubular member 32 in rotatable relation thereto, member 32 having fixedto the lower end thereof an annular drive plate 30 including a hubportion i7. Member 32 and hub 17 are in turn rotatably supported on abushing 18, which is supported in a manner below described. Tubularmember 32 is adapted to receive a vertical extending rod 42, xed at thelower end thereof by standard 40, which serves also as the support forbushing l. The upper end of. rod 42 extends from tubular member .32suiiciently to provide xed support for a cam track supporting member 44,rod 42 being pinned to standard 40 by any suitable manner, such as thepins shown, to prevent relative rotation between support 44, thesupporting base 38, and standard 40 iixedly supported thereby.

The upper end of tubular member 32 extends sur ciently above journalmember 34 to provide support for a work holder supporting platform 22,of a pinwheellike configuration, platform 22 being pinned or otherwisefixed to member 32 for rotation therewith when rotated to various indexpositions through drive plate 361, in a '.5 manner later described.Platform 22 includes another disk like rim 2?. supported from hub 22a byarms 22h. Platform 22 is provided, near the outer margin thereof, and inthe rim 22", with a plurality of circumferentially spaced and rotatablymounted work holders 23. Holders 23 include a depending bracket portion25 including lower chuck arms 84 which terminate in a manner to define awork receiving aperture, as more fully described below, in reference tothe structure of Fig. 2. Bracket 25 is provided with an upwardlyextending spindle or shaft 2t? received in bearing 27 suitably securedwithin complementary apertures provided in platform rim 22. The axiallyextending spindle Ztl to extend upwardly through a head sprocket d forassociation with a slip clutch 66 in a manner later described in moredetail.

The function of the apparatus thus far described is to provide a turrettype mechanism adapted to receive a plurality of chambered work piecessuch as the cathode ray tube envelopes shown at 2, and supported in aneck down position for indexed rotation to a plurality of work stations,the mechanism of which is below described. Since rotation of the work isrequired at some stations and is undesirable at others, the apparatus iscam controlled in a manner to effect rotation at some work stationswhile discontinuing rotation at other stations. The manner in which thisis accomplished, preferably through cam actuated mechanism, is describedbelow. Indexing of the various work holders 23, and the work articlesheld thereby to the various work stations, designated by figures Athrough I, Fig. l, is effected through a drive mechanism connected to asuitable source of power, not shown, in a known manner for rotation of acam shaft 26 upon which is mounted a barrel cam 24, fixed to shaft 26for rotation therewith. The surfaces of barrel cam 24 cooperate with lugtype cam followers 28, which depend from drive plate 30, in a manner torotate drive plate 39, and work supporting platform 22 through asufiicient portion of a revolution for indexing with the next successivework station. As platform 22 is progressively indexed in the mannerabove stated, selective rotation of each work holder 23 is automaticallyaffected in the following manner.

Slip clutches 60, of a known type, and therefore not described indetail, include astop lug 72 adapted for arresting engagement withpivoted latch bars 62, said bars being retractable to a nou-arrestingposition by raillike cam tracks 46 which are mounted in substantiallyannular configuration within the rotational path of clutch actuatingbars on levers 62 by a plurality of radial support arms 65 the innerends of which are fixed to track supporting member 44. Each clutchactuating lever 62, is pivoted at 64, and includes a cam rail contactingportion provided with a roller 66 and a clutch lug arresting portion62a. As platform 22 is rotationally indexed between work stations,rollers 66 of levers 62 are automatically engaged with or disengagedfrom actuating contact with cam rails 46, to pivot portions 62a out ofthe rotational path of lugs 72. When lugs 72 are free to rotate,clutches 6i? are maintained in an engaged condition. The length of camrails 46 and the disposition thereof in respect to the work stationscontrol the rotation of the work holders in accordance with theparticular sequence of operations to be performed on the Work. The camrails shown in Fig. l are adapted to pivot levers 62. out of arrestingengagement with lugs 72 of clutch assemblies 60, shortly after holders23 start their indexed rotation, for example, shortly after movement ofa holder from work station A, at which time roller 66 rides theramp-like edge 69 of cam rail 46 to pivot lever 62 into the positionshown at work station B. Since clutch assemblies 60 are of the typewherein spindle 20 is coupled to drive pinion 5S when actuating arm 62is pivoted engagement with clutch lug at work station B, the work holdermay be rotated by means of drive pinion 58, in the direction shown bythe arrow at that station.

Each drive pinion 5S is connected by a continuous chain 54 which extendsin generally annular configuration about and in engagement with allpinions 58. Chain 54 is also engaged by a driven pinion d3, rotationallysupported in a horizontal position by a drive shaft 53, supported injournaled relation to an upright housing 5l. The lower end of driveshaft 53 is connected in a manner not shown through a gear box 52 to asuitable source of power 50 which may be an electric motor and whichprovides continuous motive power for continuous motion of chain 54. Theuse of the chain drive permits continued rotation of work holders 23during rotation from one work station to another, and provides a simplestructure for providing interruptable rotational drive to cach of thework holders.

As platform 22 is indexed from work station B to work station C, bar 62continues to be constrained from blocking clutch lug 72 at that station,but upon leaving station C, lever 62 leaves cam rail 46 and is pivotedunder the urge of tension spring out of the path of rotation of lug 65thereby causing reengagement of clutch 66 at work station D. It istherefore seen that the work holder, which is not rotationally driven atwork station A, was caused to be so driven at stations B and C andreturned to the non-rotational condition at station D. ln a like manner,the work holder is caused to rotate at stations E, F, G, and H, withdriving power being again rendered ineffective at stations l and I.

As shown in Fig. 2, the work station equipment shown supportedbybrackets 76, which rest on flange portion 74 of pedestal 76 atdiametrical sides thereof, is adapted to perform two different functionsduring the step by step rotation of the device. The apparatus shown onthe left hand side of the drawing includes a vertically disposed brushcarrier assembly '78 including a positioning bracket 75, fixed tobracket 76, and a slide rod 77 for the slidable mounting of a brushcarrier 79, below described in more detail. A liquid transfer device S2,which may be a paint conveying apparatus, includes elongate member 8i,fixed to a standard 8G, in turn supported on base plate 38, to positiona paint transfer assembly 83 for contacting engagement with the brushapparatus associated with brush carrier 79, and now shown in adisengaged relation. The same type of apparatus is shown on the righthand side of Fig. 2 and includes similar apparatus for mounting thebrush carrier 79 for disposition of a brush or other type applicatorwithin the tube blank 2 and for removal therefrom.

Fig. 3 shows in detail the components of a typical painting station. Adetailed description of this station follows, and will serve equallywell for all stations which perform the same type of operation. Cathoderay tube blank 2 is secured in work-holder 23. Work-holder 23 includes apair of depending, tong-like chuck arms 84, converging to asemi-circular chuck collar S6 carrying angularly disposed wedge-likesupports 88, spaced about said collar at convenient intervals forsupporting the conical portion of the blank 2. Collar 86 may be providedwith depending chuck extentions 92 carrying neck clamps whereby the axisof tube blanks 2 is maintained coincij dent with the axis of rotation ofspindle 20.

Centrally located beneath the comparatively long tubu lar neck portion 4of tube blank 2, is brush 94 which is part of brush carrier structure7S. Located adjacent to against the urge of spring 76 by roller 66moving on to cam rail 46, and are disengaged when Vroller 66 leaves thecam rail thereby engaging bar 62 and lug 72, it follows that since bar62 is maintained out of arresting brush carrier structure 78 is paint orcoating composition carrying apparatus 82.

Brush carrier structure 78 includes various fixed aud moving assembliesdesigned to move brush 94 through neck 4 of tube blank 2 into thc mainbody of the tube. locate brush 94 against a portion of the insidesurface for the duration of a particular painting operation, and toremove the brush from the tube blank after the painting operation hasbeen completed.

Brush carrier structure 78 is supported by angle bracket 76 attached toannular pedestal ange 74. Vertical support 156 is mounted in bracket 76and holds supporting arms 154 and 162. Vertical guide rods 152 aresupported between arms 154 and pass through journals in brush assemblycarrier 153, serving to guide and support the brush assembly carrier forvertical motion. Attached to Vertical extension arm 151 of brushassembly carrier 153 is connecting rod 158 serving to couple linearmotion from linear actuator 160, which is mounted on supporting foot162, to brush assembly carrier 153.

Extending outward from brush assembly carrier 153 is brush carrierbracket 150 in which is mounted vertical brush carrier 138. Alsoattached to a lower portion of brush carrier bracket 150 is linear brushactuator 164.

Brush carrier structure 138cor`nprises a guide member 135, including alower cylindrical portion, center-bored at 133 to receive a brushactuating rod 144, and leading into an upper guard-like extension 139which serves as a backstop for the brush actuating mechanism, describedbelow. The lower end of member 135 is received in press tit engagementwithin a complementary aperture provided in brush carrier 150 for rigidsupport in a vertical position. Centerbore 133 leads downwardly into anenlarged bore 137, for disposition of a helical compression spring 146,which is confined between the upper wall of bore 137 and a retainingcollar 148 xed to rod 144 to bias rod 144 in a downward direction. Theupper end of rod 144 carries a xed collar 143 for pivotal support of oneend of link 142, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected tobrush actuating arm 140. As more clearly shown in the dotted line workposition above, arm 140 is pivoted to extension 139 at 141 and carriesat its free end a brush 94 in loose pivotal engagement therewith. As isevident from the above description, movernent of rod 144, under thedownward urging of spring 146, acts through link 142 to pivot arm 140laterally to the position of brush contacting engagement with the innersurface of tube blank 2, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 3.

Rod 144 is adapted to be moved upwardly, against the urge of spring 146,by push rod 165, under the control of linear brush actuator 164, whichmay be pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically operated. Theupward movement oi' rod 144 to the heavy line position shown transmitsretractory movement of brush arm 140 and brush 94 to the position shownfor insertion or removal of structure 138 through neck 4 of tube blank2. Upon insertion of carrier 13S into tube blank 2 (see dotted lines)linear actuator 164 releases, permitting spring 146 to force downn wardon collar 148 carried by actuating rod 144, thereby drawing downward onactuating link 142 and causing brush lever 140 to swing outward andurgey brush 94 against the inner wall of tube blank 2. Indicated byshadowing 167 of the drawing is the path whichv would be traced on thewall of tube blank 2 by brush 94 wiping against the rotating glassblank.

The ink carrying apparatus 82 is designed to provide rotating ink wheel98 with a supply of ink, and at the same time to push wheel 98 againstone end of the brush, draw it along the surface of the brush, therebyspreading an even coating of ink and then to` withdraw the inking wheelfrom the brush.

Supported by standard 80 on machine base 38 is vertical stand 136 havingextensions 134 for supporting inking assembly vertical actuator 132, andvertical guide rods 126. Slidably mounted on vertical guide rods 126 isinking assembly carrier 124. Supported in turn by carrier 124 arecarrier extension 128, horizontal guide rod 116, and horizontal inkingactuator 122. Attached to carrier extension` 128 is connecting rod 130which receives its driving force from vertical actuator 132. Carried byhorizontal guide rod 116 is slidably mounted ink wheel carrier 96.Attached to ink wheel carrier extension 118 lll is ink wheel carrierconnecting rod which is moved by horizontal inking actuator 122.

Supported by ink wheel carrier 96 is ink well 106 containing a watersuspension of colloidal graphite such as aquadag 104- in which turns inkdelivery wheel 102. Also supported by ink wheel carrier 96 is coatingwheel 98 driven by motor 100 and knife blade support 112, in whichdoctor blade 108 is moved by screw 110. Inasmuch as delivery wheel 102is in contact with coating wheel 98, ink from well 106, which is pickedup by wheel 102 as it idies, is delivered to coating wheel 98. Thethickness and evenness of the ink on coating wheel 98 may be regulatedby varying the position of doctor blade 108 closer or further away fromthe periphery of wheel 98.

In operation at the beginning of the cycle when tube blank 2 is movedinto position over brush 94, inking assembly carrier 124 is in itsuppermost position, having been placed there by vertical actuator 132.Horizontal actuator 122 then moves ink wheel carrier 96 horizontally sothat ink wheel 98 contacts brush 94. Vertical actuator 132 then causesinking assembly carrier 124 and inking wheel carrier 96 to descend, therotation of coating wheel 93 then delivering a supply of ink to brush 94along its entire length. Upon completion of the coating delivery stroke,horizontal actuator 122 then returns coating wheel carrier 96 to itsoutermost position and subsequently assembly carrier 124 is returned toits uppermost position by vertical actuator 132. The path described bycoating wheel carrier 96 is shown in the rectangular trace 114 to theright in the drawing.

Upon completion of the coating cycle as described above, the paintingcycle described in connection with the description brush carrierstructure 78 begins, and the whole cycle at this station is completedupon return of brush carrier 138 to its lower position. Then tube blank2 is indexed to the next operating station, and a new tube blankpositioned at this station for the same operation.

1n Figures 4 to 7 inclusive, details are shown of an apparatus to belocated at a suitable station for the purpose of applying coating tosecond anode connector button 212 located in the side of tube 2. Thesecond anode is formed by the conductive coating of graphit-e on theinside of the cathode ray tube, and careful application of graphite inthe vicinity of contact button 212 is necessary in order to obtain agood connection between button 212 and the anode coating. This coatingstep is complicated by the fact that during the process of insertingbutton 212 in the wall of blank 2, a small surrounding recess is formedin the glass.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 4 is a variation of that shown in Fig. 3,and is specially adapted for the purpose described above. Fixed topedestal flange 74 is angle standard 76 on which is mounted brushassembly stand 182. To standard 76 and stand 182 are attached extensions180 for supporting vertical linear actuator 178, and extensions 184 forholding vertical guide rods 172. Bracket 188, which is also mounted onsupport 182, bears motor 190, gear reduction box 192, shaft 194, andpivot block 202 (these are more clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7).

Slidably mounted on vertical guide rods 182 is brush assembly carrierwhich is formed in the nature of a yoke (see top view, Fig. 7) andwhich. contains passages for slidable acceptance of guide rods 182.Attached to the upper end of carrier 170 is extension arm 174 to whichis attached one end of connecting rod 176y for transferr-ing motion fromlinear actuator 17S to carrier 170. Carrier 170 also bears forked member168 in which brush carrier 166 is rotatably mounted, and bracket 219 formounting brush actuator 220.

Mounted on motor bracket 188 is an assembly for producing areciprocating motion to be applied to brush carrier 166. More clearlyshown in Figs. 6 and 7 are drive motor 190, gear reduction box 192,shaft 194, and

7 connecting'rod 196. Rod 196 is eccentrically connected to shaft 194 bypin 195 for generation of the reciprocating motion at the other end ofrod 196, where pin 197 connects rod 196 to channel member 198.

The construction and operation of the brush carrier is otherwise similarto that described previously in connection with Fig. 3. Spring loadedbrush actuating rod 222 is moved vertically by motion transmitted frombrush actuator 220 by actuator push rod 218 and push rod thrust bearing219. Thrust bearing 219 is inserted in the linkage to facilitateoscillation of brush carrier 166. Actuating linkage 214 is connectedbetween the upper end of actuating rod 222 and a point of advantage onpivotably mounted brush lever 216. The outer end of lever 216 supportspivotably mounted brush 204. Thus, downward motion of actuating rod 222serves to lower brush 204 against the inner surface of tube blank 2, andupward motion serves to raise brush 284 into a position for retractionthrough tube neck 4.

Brush assembly carrier 170 is shown here in its topmost position, thatin which it would be during the painting operation. Lowering of carrier171i is accomplished by means of linear actuator 17S and connecting rod176. During raising and lowering, roller 286 on reciprocating lever arm288 is free to travel in channel 199 of channel member 198. At a pointslightly below channel member pivot pin 200, travel in channel member199 ceases and the roller carries on into fixed channel member 224,which is immovably attached to pivot block 202. Oscillating motion ofbrush carrier 166 may thus be arrested so that application of freshaquadag to brush 204 is facilitated. lnking assembly 82, similar indescription and operation to that described in Fig. 3 above, may be usedto coat brush 204.

Fig. 5 is a tcp section view of the cathode ray tube blank 2 taken whenbrush 204 is in position over contact button 212. The scope of theoscillating motion required to be applied to brush 94 to obtainsatisfactory coating of area 210 is indicated by the arrows.

In Figs. 8 to 13 an apparatus for us-e at another station on the machineand which is suitable for outlining windows on the wall of cathode raytube blank 2 is shown. In the manufacture of cathode ray tubes, it is`customary to use a getter to help remove residual gases and to preservethe high vacuum necessary to the proper operation of a cathode ray tubeduring its life. Windows, a part of which are painted by the belowdescribed portion of the invention, permit hashing the getter directlyon to the glass wall of the tube in an area free from aquadag Thus it ispossible by visual inspection to observe whether the getter has beenproperly flashed. Strips painted by this apparatus, when connected withcircumferential bands applied by an apparatus such as that disclosed inFig. 12 produce a pair of suitable getter receiving windows.

The apparatus differs from that previously described, in that roller 250is used to apply the aquadag to the wall of the tube in lieu of thebrush previously used, although a brush would also be a suitable means.

Attached to annular flange 74 of pedestal 36 is angle bracket 76 towhich in turn is attached upright stand 234. Supporting feet 262 onstand 234 support vertical guide `rods 261) on which the yoke ofpainting assembly carrier 258 is slidably mounted', supporting feet 268attached to stand 234 and bracket76 hold linear actuator ,266. Motion oflinear actuator 266 is transmitted from actuating rod 264 to carrier 258by carrier extension arm 257.

i Attached to the upper end of carrier 258 is roller rod bearing block259 in which is pivoted roller rod shaft ,256, to the outer end of whichis aflixed roller rod support 254. Carried in roller rod support 254 isroller rod 252 an elongate member having at its upper end freely turningapplicator roller 250 and at its other end cam following roller 280.Also firmly attached to carrier 258 is extension 261 which holdssupports 284 for spring loaded-centering members 282.

Also attached to upright stand 234 are lateral support members 232 and270. The uppermost of these, support 232, has forward extending integralarms 233 to which is attached the mechanism for coating roller 250. Tolower support member 270 are attached forward extending side supportmembers 272. Attached to the forward ends of side members 272 istransverse support 271 on which are mounted right and left cam supportblocks 274 and 275. Secured by pins 278 in a channel of cam supportblocks 274 and 275 are cams 276 and 277. Slots 265 and 273 in cams 276and 277 receive cam stop pins 267 and 279 which are anchored totransverse support 271. Cam spring lingers 283 and 285, mounted ontransverse support 271, anchor cam return springs 286 and 288, which areattached at their other extremities to earns 276 and 277. By this means,cam 276 is continually urged downward onto its stop pin 267, and cam 277is urged upward onto pin 279.

The plan view of Fig. 8 shows a view of the paint supply mechanism usedwith this adaptation of the invention. This structure was omitted fromthe other views (Figs. 9, 10, and 11) for the sake of simplicity.

Attached to forward extending integral arms 233 is paint supply stand236. Mounted on stand 236 is linear actuator 238 and guide members 241which are spaced to provide a track for slidable motor mount 243. Connecting rod 240 serves to transfer linear motion from actuator 238 tointegrally formed bracket 242 on mount 243. Carried by motor mount 243is motor 244 having shaft 245 terminating in continually rotatingdelivery wheel 246. Motor 244 and wheel 246 are thus subject totransverse motion from actuator 238. This positions wheel 246 so that itis in position to contact painting roller 250, or to receive a newsupply of aquadag from supply wheel 226. Wheel 226, rotatably mounted incontainer supporting bracket 228, turns freely when contacted bydelivery wheel 246 and transfers aquadag from a pool in paint container230 to delivery wheel 246, thereby preparing it to coat roller 250.

Operation of the above described window painting apparatus consists of anumber of timed sequential events. Starting with actuator 266 operatedto lower painting assembly carrier 258 to its bottom position, aquadagdelivery wheel 246 is moved by operation of actuator 238 to contactsupply wheel 226 and then is moved to contact roller 250, deliveringink. After delivery of aquadag to roller 250, delivery wheel 226 isreturned by actuator 238 to its original position so that the inkingassembly does not interfere with motion of the remaining apparatus.Painting assembly carrier 258 is then raised by actuator226, carryingalong with it rod 252 which, retained in a vertical position by springloaded centering members 282, passes into blank 2. As carrier 258 risesfurther, cam follower roller 280 strikes cam surfaces 269 and 281 ofcams 276 and 277. Pin 279 prevents upward deflection of cam 277, butupward motion of cam 276 is permitted to the extent of the length ofslot 265 coj acting with stop pin 267. Cam follower roller 280 istherefore deflected to the left and paint roller 250 at the opposite endof roller rod 252 is thus forced to the right against the wall of neck 4of tube 2. Upon completion of passage of cam follower 280 through cams276 and 277, recentering of rod 252 is accomplished by centering devices282. Lines 287 at the right of Fig. 9 indicate the path traced by paintwheel 250 on its upward and downward courses. Distance 289 indicates thestrip of painting just completed.

Downward motion of carrier 258 upon reversal of motion by actuator 266causes roller 280 to be deflected to the right by a similar but reversedaction of cams 276 and 277. Paint roller 250 thus traces strip 291 onthe left hand side of tube blank neck 4. Continued downward motion ofcarrier 258 first frees cam follower 280 of contact cams 276 and 277,thereby causing recentering of lever 252, and then removes rod 252 fromneck 4. The cycle is then repeated as turret 44 rotates to present a newtube to this position.

Fig. 12 shows a modified brush applicator arrangement which is designedto paint narrow circumferential bands around the inside of the neck ofthe tube at either end of vertical strips 289 and 29.1 painted by themechanism of Fig. 9. This mechanism has painting assembly carrier 29%which may be attached to a vertical actuating mechanism such as thatattached to upright stand 182 in Fig. 3. Similarly, paint carryingapparatus S2 of Fig. 3 could be used to supply ink to brush 364 of thisassembly.

Fixed in assembly carrier 294BY is brush carrier 292 having a channeledbrush carrier extension 293 for receiving a pivotably mounted brushlever`294. Attached to the base of brush lever 294 is extension arm 296,the outer end of which is connected through actuating link 298 to collar309. Collar 36,0 is secured about tubular slide 392 which is slidablyfitted in recess 303 in the l lower end of brush carrier 292. Tubularslide 302 is spring loaded downward by internal compression spring 398.Linear actuator 310 is anchored to carrier 290 and normally appliesforce to collar 300 through connecting rod 366, thereby keeping brush304 out of contact with the tube neck 4. Release of compulsion byactuator 3i() permits downward motion of collar 300 under pressure fromspring 30S. Collar 300 draws down on link 298, which in turn moves lever244, forcing brush 304 into contact with neck 4. Brush 304 has bristlesat either end but none in its center, so that two parallel bands may bepainted to complete windows started by the mechanism of Fig. 9. Tubeblank 2 is rotated at the station where this brush is employed, thusproducing circumferential bands.

Fig. 12 also illustrates diagrammatically tube 2 after it has passedthrough the machine and stopped at each of l0 stations. The areascovered have letters corresponding to those of the. stations at which apainting operation occurred and are thus designated consecutively l B toI. It should be pointed out that each succeeding layer of paint actuallyoverlaps` the preceding one as shown in Fig. 4 so that the surfaces areconductively united. The strip separation indicated in Fig. 12 is merelyintended to illustrate the step by step process. Fig. 13 represents acloseup view of the windows formed in the neck by strip bands 291 and28.9 of painting operation I and the circular bands of paintingoperation H.

The various operating elements of the invention having been described indetail, the overall operation of the machine is now briey considered.

The tube blank 2 is lrst. manually loaded at station A. The turret isthen indexed to station B where the4 tube is rotated during theapplication of the iirst circumferential band of paint. the tube isindexed to the next station to receive band C and so forth on down thetube. At station D rotation of the tube is stopped while the apparatusof Fig. 4 applies the coating around contact button 212.

Bands E, F, and G are applied as before, while the tube rotates. Notethat at stations F and G, where lower portions oi the tube are painted,it may be mechanically advantageous to substitute the brush carrierapparatus of Fig. 12 for that of Fig. 3, but that the applicator shapeof Fig. 3 should preferably be used, rather than that of Fig. l2. Inorder to paint vertical strips 291 and 289 on the neck of the tubeblank, rotation of spindle 20 is stopped at station l,l and the bandswhich complete getter windows 311 and 312 are painted at station H withthe tube blank rotating. At station I the tube is removed from themachine.

It should be noted that provisions arey made for the number of workholders 23.v to match the number of operating stations so that everytime` the machine indexes, one tube is at some stage of the operation.

Upon completion of this operation,

While disclosure of the invention above has shown the use oi brushes orrollers in specific locations for the application of the painting mediumaquadag, it is not intended thereby to limit the invention to thoseparticular applying means. Other types of applicators can be used, suchas suitably mounted strips of cloth or other absorbent mediurn, as wellas simple flat surfaces of a yielding or non-yielding nature.

Similarly, rollers such as that in Figs. 9 and ll, or rollers having awider rolling surface pivotably mounted with their axes substantiallyparallel to the brush lever may be used. Note also that a brush or otherdevice could be substituted for the roller of Figs, 9 and ll.

Further, it is not intended that the machine should be limited to theapplication of aquadag to theinside surfaces of a cathode ray tubeblank, but rather that it may be used for the application of otherliquids to the inside surfaces oi many diiferent container-like objectshaving a substantially circular cross-section at any of the points towhich a coating is to be applied.

While the correlation of the various component parts and assembliesabove described, has not included adetailed showing or description ofmechanism for controlling the timing therebetween, it will be understoodthat such timing may be accomplished in any one of a number of knownmanners, and by employment of known equipment. The indexing of theturret by barrel cam 24 is on an intermittent basis. That is the cam isprovided with a comparatively long dwell portion and a steep indexingportion so that the turret is stationary for the major portion of arevolution and is quickly indexed during the remainder of therevolution. The timing is so arranged that with the work holders loaded,and the power turned on, the applicator mechanisms, which may be otdifferent types, operate to perform their intended functions while theindex dwells. Upon completion of the applicator operations, andretraction of the applicators to the non-operating position, theapplicator mechanisms are idle while the barrel cam indexes therotatable work holder assembly to the next work station. During thisindexing operation, the lever actuated clutches are controlled byengagement or disengagement with the fixed cani rails to automaticallytime the application to or removal or" driving power from the individualWork holder assemblies. Upon completion of each indexing operation,power is appropriately re-applied to the applicator mechanisms whichoperate to perform the second of the sequence of operations. The cycleis repeated until each article has moved through all work stations atwhich time the articles are normally removed and the holders reloaded.

While programming mechanism may bel used, coupled to the index cam driveto control operation of the painting mechanism it will be apparent thatthe. control of the various actuators may be manual as far asillustrating the operation of the machine is concerned and since theprogramming mechanism is no part of the presenty invention, it has notbeen illustrated.

Finally, it is intended that the form of the invention herewith shownand described is to be taken as a preferred example, and that variouschanges in shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be used withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, or the scopey of thesubjoined claims. f

Having thus described the invention, what is claimedv is:

l. An applicator apparatus, the combination of an elongate tubularmember, a rod-like element disposed within said tubular member insiidable relation thereto, an arm pivoted to said tubular memberadjacent one end thereof, an applicator device at one end of said arm, acompression spring disposed within said tubular member at the oppositeend thereof, a link element connecting said arm at a point spaced fromvsaid pivotal connection to said rod for translation of axial movement ofsaid rod to pivotal movement ot said arm, means connecting saidcompression spring to said tubular member and to said rod to bias saidrod in a direction to pivot said arm outwardly from said tubular member,and means coupled to said rod for moving said rod against the urge ofsaid spring to pivot said arm to a position of substantial alignmentwith said tubular member.

2. In a device for sequentially subjecting a plurality of chamberedarticles to a plurality of applicators for application of material tothe surfaces dening the chambers therein, the combination with aplurality of article holders, means for the progressive indexing of saidholders to positions of registry with said applicators, and meanscoupled to each of said applicators for movement thereof into thechamber of articles held by said holders, means for moving each saidapplicator to engage the surface defining said chamber, and means forrotating one or more of said articles While an applicator is held incontacting engagement with said chamber defining surface.

3. In paint applying equipment, the sub-combination comprising a supportmember, a pair of guide rods attached to said support member to extendupright therefrom, a carrier carried by said guide rods in slidablerelation thereto, a linear actuator connected to said carrier forreciprocation of said carrier along said guide rods, an elongate elementpivotally attached at one end to said carrier to extend outwardlytherefrom, an applicator member movably connected to the other end ofsaid elongate member, cam means coupled to said pivotally mountedelongate element for lateral deiiection thereof in one direction uponmovement of said carrier along said guide rods in one direction, and fordeflection of said element in an opposite direction upon reversal ofmovement of said carrier, and means operative by said carrier when movedto a position at one extreme end of its stroke for recentering saidelongate element.

4. in a device of the character described, the subcombination includinga pair of guide rods and means supporting said guide rods in mutuallyparallel spaced relation, a carrier mounted to straddle said guide rodsin slidable relation thereto, an elongate element pivotally attached tosaid carrier midway between said rods to extend beyond the ends thereof,resilient means normally maintaining said element in parallel spacedrelation centrally of said rods, an applicator movably attached to t.

one end of said elongate element, a cam follower attached to theopposite end of said elongate element, and cam means pivotally supportedby said rods to extend transversely thereof and into the path ofmovement of said cam follower, said cam means comprising a pair of arms,each of which is pivoted adjacent one of said rods to extend into thespace therebetween, said arms being provided at the free end thereofwith cam surfaces, stop means limiting pivoting on one of said arms toone direction from a position normal to said rods, stop means limitingpivoting of the other of said arms to an opposite direction from aposition normal to said rods, and means normally biasing said armsagainst said stop means and normal to said rods, whereby upon movementof said carrier in a direction to move said cam follower against saidarms, said elongate element is pivoted outwardly against the cam surfaceof an arrested arm with the lopposite arm yielding, and upon movement ofsaid 'arrier and cam follower in the opposite direction, said elongateelement is oppositely cammed to pivot said element, and the applicatormounted to the opposite end thereof in the opposite direction.

5. In turret mechanism adapted to progressively position work supportingholders at successive work stations, the combination with a plurality ofannularly disposed work stations, each station comprising work engagingapparatus, and means at each work station for vertically moving saidwork engaging apparatus from a retracted position of nonengagement withwork to an elevated position of engagement therewith, of means forsupporting work in vertical alignment with said apparatus and includinga support member mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane spaced abovesaid work engaging apparatus, means for rotationally indexing saidsupport member, a plurality of work holders mounted for rotation inrespect to said support member to depend therefrom, each said holderbeing adapted to support an article in alignment for engagementtherewith of said work engaging apparatus, drive means for the rotationof said work holders, individual clutch means interposed between saiddrive means and each work holder for selective connection of said drivemeans, and cam means for selectively actuating said clutch means, saidcam means being operable in response to rotational indexing of saidsupport member.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein each said clutch means includes a slipclutch, one element of which is provided with an exposed lug, rotatablewith said clutch when in an engaged position, and adapted, whenconstrained against rotation, to disengage said clutch, a plurality ofclutch actuating levers pivotally mounted on said support member formovement from a lug arresting position to a position of non-engagementtherewith, means biasing said levers to said lug arresting position, andan arcuate cam rail, iixedly supported within a path traversed by saidbiased levers to pivot said levers, upon engagement with said cam, intoa position of non-engagement of said lug, whereby said work holders arerotatably driven only when said levers engage said cam.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with anapplicator element, and means for tixedly positioning said element witha work surface thereof disposed in a vertical plane, of means forfeeding tiowable material to said work surface comprising a containerfor said iiowable material, a transfer roller mounted for rotation in avertical plane above said container, means for driving said roller,means for feeding said material to said transfer roller, and means formoving said roller and container into a position for engagement of saidroller with the upper portion of said applicator work surface, means formoving said roller and container downwardly through a vertical plane inwiping engagement with said work surface for transfer of materialthereto, and means for moving said roller and container to a position ofnon-use laterally from the vertical plane of said work surface.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said means for feeding iiowablematerial to said transfer roller comprises a feed roller, disposedwithin said container for partial emersion within the material therein,and in surface contacting engagement with said transfer roller to bedriven thereby for feeding of material to said transfer roller;

9. An applicator adapted to apply a coating to internal surfacesdefining a chamber having in combination, an arm, an applicator carriedby one end of said arm, a member mounted for reciprocation, meanspivotally mounting said arm to said member at a point intermediate theends of said arm, and means mounted adjacent said member to causepivotal movement of said arm in opposite directions respectively, inresponse to movement of said member in opposite directions.

l0. A device of the character described having in subcombination a workholder comprising a support member having a pair of arms attached to arotatable member and diverging t0 receive an enlarged portion of a workpiece, said arms converging to receive an extending neck portion of saidwork piece and maintain said neck portion in coaxial relationship withsaid rotatable member.

11. A work supporting device for positioning elongated neck typeelectron tube blanks in a vertically positioned neck-down position, saiddevice having in combination, a supporting frame including a portionadapted for rotational mountingto associated apparatus,

a pair of arms depending from said mounting portion and spaced apartsulicientlyl to receive the body of a tube blank therebetween, said armsleading downwardly into inwardly divided portions and terminating at aposition to define an aperture of a width to permit passage of the tubeblank neck therethrough, and an alignment member including a iiangedbase, adapted to be received marginally of the aperture defining ends ofsaid arms, a plurality of circumferentially disposed guides supported todepend from said flanged base and to engage the neck of a tube blanksupported in said device, and a plurality of upwardly extending worksupports of a configuration to snugly receive the body portion of a tubeblank.

12. A device for coating the interior surface of a container having incombination, means for supporting a container, the interior of which isaccessible only through a dimensionally restricted transfer port, anelongate element, an applicator operatively connected to one end of saidelement, means for maintaining said applicator adjacent to said elementfor insertion within said container in non-contacting engagementtherewith during passage through said port, means for moving saidactuator outwardly from said element and into contacting engagement withinner wall surfaces of said container, means for oscillating saidelement to effect oscillatory contacting movement of said applicatorover a portion of said inner surface, means for returning saidapplicator to a position adjacent said element, means for retractingsaid element and said applicator from the interior of said container,and means adjacent the path of said applicator movable into engagementwith said applicator for applying coating material thereto.

13. An apparatus for internally coating a hollow receptacle having along narrow neck portion, means for supporting said receptacle forrotation about an axls concentric with the axis of said neck portion,coatmg means movable axially through said narrow neck and including anelongated supporting element, a lever p1votally connected to one end ofsaid elongated element, an applicator member adapted to apply a coatingto the interior surface of said receptacle, means operatively connectingsaid applicator member to the other end of said lever for relativemovement therebetween, means operable from the exterior of saidreceptacle for pivoting said lever in a plane radial to kthe axis ofsaid neck to a position with said feed member in contacting engagementwith a selected portion of the inner surface of said receptacle andmeans for relatively rotating said receptacle and said applicator meansabout a common axis and means external of said hollow container forapplying coating material to said applicator member, said last mentionedmeans including a paint roller adapted to be moved into engagement withsaid applicator member and swept over the length of said applicatormember.

14. An apparatus for internally coating a hollow receptacle having along narrow neck portion, means for supporting said receptacle forrotation about an axis concentric with the axis of said neck portion,coating means movable axially through said narrow neck and including anelongated supporting element, a lever pivotally connected to one end ofsaid elongated element, an applicator member adapted to apply a coatingto the interior surface of said receptacle, means operatively connectingsaid applicator member to the other end of said lever for relativemovement therebetween, means operable from the exterior of saidreceptacle for pivoting said lever in a plane radial to the axis of saidneck to a position with said feed member in contacting engagement with aselected portion of the inner surface of said receptacle and means forrelatively rotating said receptacle and said applicator means about acommon axis, said means for supporting said receptacle including asupporting frame adapted for rotational mounting, a pair of armsextending along the direction of the axis of rotation of,- said frameand spaced apart" ficiently to receive the bodyof said receptacletherebe-n tween, said arms therebeyond converging toward a position todefine an aperture of a width to permit passage of the neck of saidreceptacle therethrough and an alignment member connected to the end ofsaid arms and extending along the neck of said receptacle to engage saidneck at a position remote from said aperture whereby the neck of saidreceptacle is constrained t0 rotate about an axis coincident with theaxis of said supporting frame.

1,5. A device for coating the interior surface of a container having incombination, means for supporting a container, the interior of which isaccessible only through a dimensionally restricted transfer port, anelongate element, an applicator operatively connected to one end of saidelement, means for maintaining said applicator adjacent to said elementfor insertion witllin said container in non-contacting engagementtherewith during passage through said port, means for moving saidactuator outwardly from said element and into contacting engagement withinner wall surfaces of said container, means for providing relativerotational movement between said container and said element, means forreturning said applicator to a position adjacent said element, means forretracting said element and said applicator from the interior of saidcontainer, and means adjacent the path of said applicator movable intoengagement with said applicator for applying coating material thereto.

16. A device for coating the interior surface of a container having incombination, means for supporting a container, the interior of which isaccessible only through a dimensionally restricted transfer port, anelongate element, an applicator operatively connected to one end of saidelement, means for maintaining said applicator adjacent to said elementfor insertion within said container in non-contacting engagementtherewith during passage through said port, means for moving saidactuator outwardly from said element and into contacting engagement withinner wall surfaces of said container, means for oscillating saidelement to effect oscillatory contacting movement of said applicatorover a portion of said inner surface, means for returning saidapplicator to a position adjacent said element, means for retractingsaid element and said applicator from the interior of said container,and means adjacent the path of said applicator movable into engagementwith said applicator for applying coating material thereto, said lastmentioned means comprising a container of coating material having afirst roller immersed in said material, a second roller in contact withsaid first roller and means for laterally shifting said last mentionedmeans to bring said second roller in contact with said applicator andsweeping it over the length of said applicator.

17. A device for coating the interior surface of a container having incombination, means for supporting a container, the interior of which isaccessible only through a dimensionally restricted transfer port, anelongate element, an applicator operatively connected to one end of saidelement, means for maintaining said applicator adjacent to said elementfor insertion within said container in non-contacting engagementtherewith during passage through said port, means for moving saidactuator outwardly from said element and into contacting engagement withinner wall surfaces of said container, means for providing relativerotational movement between said container and said element, means forreturning said applicator to a position adjacent said element, means forretracting said element and said applicator from the interior of saidcontainer, and means adjacent the path of said applicator movable intoengagement with said applicator for applying coating material thereto,said last mentioned means comprising a 15 container of coating materialhaving a rst roller immersed in said material, a second :roller incontact with said rst roller and means for laterally shifting said lastmentioned means to bring said second roller in contact with saidapplicator and sweeping it over the length of said applicator.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 221,939Root Nov. 25, 1879 1,064,738 Jenkins June 17, 1913 1,173,255 EberhartFeb. 29, 1916 16 Carpenter Oct. 15, Carey Aug. 8, Schultz July 13,Hageman et al. Aug. 9, Magnusson Mar. 31, Kronquest Nov. 29, Scott Feb.25, Laidig et al. Sept. 21, Green Oct. 2, Kuehler Feb. 19, Conway et al.Mar. 11, Fouse June 10,

